Goldencents's task in BC Dirt Mile gets a little easier
With pre-entries just a few days away, final decisions on the status of prospective starters for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile have been or are in the process of being made.
The eighth running of the $1 million Dirt Mile will be the second of four Breeders’ Cup races Oct. 31, following the Juvenile Turf and preceding the Juvenile Fillies Turf and the Distaff. Owing to a short run to the clubhouse turn in one-mile races at Santa Anita, the Dirt Mile is limited to 12 starters and two also-eligible horses.
Goldencents, who went wire to wire in the 2013 Dirt Mile, now is definite for a title defense. With Doug O’Neill serving a suspension through Dec. 18, the colt’s trainer of record will be longtime assistant Leandro Mora.
“Leandro is an absolutely first-class trainer,” O’Neill said in a statement last week. “I don’t think we’re in good hands. We’re in great hands.”
Goldencents’s task was made easier Monday, when potential early-pace adversary River Rocks worked five furlongs in 1:02.61 at Belmont Park and was declared from the race by owner James Covello, who tweeted: “River Rocks breezed well this morning, but we are keeping him in New York for the Bold Ruler [Oct. 25]. Breeders’ Cup was tempting, but this is a smarter move.”
River Rocks is not nominated to the Breeders’ Cup, and hefty supplemental fees would have applied.
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Down in Florida
** It was reported that Indiana Derby winner East Hall will bypass the Dirt Mile in favor of Aqueduct’s Discovery Handicap and one last chance to run against 3-year-olds.
** Valid captured last Saturday’s Eight Miles West Stakes at Gulfstream Park West, formerly Calder, and remains under consideration for the Dirt Mile. It was Valid’s third win in his last four starts for trainer Marcus Vitali, a streak that began with a triumph over Bradester in the Grade 2 Monmouth Cup, for which he earned a career-best 110 Beyer Speed Figure.
On the work tab
** Bradester, who won the one-mile Ack Ack Handicap with a 105 Beyer two starts back for Eddie Kenneally, breezed a half-mile in 48 seconds Saturday at Churchill Downs.
** Bronzo, who earned a fees-paid berth by winning the Group 2 Coda de Oro in Chile in his last start June 27, had his fifth workout at Santa Anita for Jorge Andres De La Cerda, picking up the pace with a half-mile in 47.20 last Friday.
** Readying for a third crack at the Dirt Mile, Fed Biz worked six furlongs in 1:12.40 on Monday for Bob Baffert.
** Tapiture, shipped to Santa Anita by Steve Asmussen following a runner-up finish in the Pennsylvania Derby, worked five furlongs in 59.20 on Sunday.
** Coming off a win in the Oklahoma Derby for Jerry Hollendorfer, Tonito M. worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 Monday at Santa Anita.